Funeral/Burial
CalVCB, under most circumstances, may pay up to $7,500 for the funeral, burial or memorial service of a deceased victim after other available sources of payment, if any, have been applied.
CalVCB can pay for most expenses related to a funeral, burial or memorial service of a deceased victim.
However, CalVCB cannot pay for:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coroner's charges (GC § 27472)
- Finance or interest charges or processing fees on a funeral/burial bill
- Memorial services beyond those usual and customary within the culture of the deceased victim
- A pre-purchased funeral or grave
- Telephone calls
The person responsible for paying for the victim's funeral arrangements should file the application for funeral and burial benefits. The Board cannot accept applications filed directly by a service provider such as a mortuary, funeral home, or cemetery (CCR § 649.18(b)).
CalVCB cannot pay the expenses of a person who is: on probation, on parole, or on post-release community supervision for a violent felony; incarcerated; or required to register as a sex offender. A person who is not a felon or required to register as a sex offender can be reimbursed for funeral expenses, even though the victim was a felon or required to register as a sex offender.
For information on cemetery and funeral burial services or to find a licensed provider, visit the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.